NHL Best Bets Today, 1/10: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
We have a five-game slate to close out the week's NHL best bets and it should be a good one.
It has a balance of top-tier teams in good spots, along with some underdogs who could make some noise.
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/10
We're coming off a very solid day of NHL best bets with Jack Hughes hitting his goal prop up at +150 yesterday, along with cashing in on Brady Tkachuk's shot prop.
Let's keep that rolling with these NHL picks as we head into the weekend!
Sharks vs. Utah Hockey Club Prediction: Friday, January 10th
The Utah Hockey Club has hit a bit of a slide with only one win in their last eight games, but a matchup against the San Jose Sharks can help them get back on track.
This morning, Utah announced they are going to be without Dylan Guenther moving forward, which is a blow to their already struggling offense. They simply need others to step up and we'll turn to Clayton Keller.
Keller leads the team in points (40) and shots on goal (103), which they desperately need to right the ship and start picking up wins. The matchup against the Sharks is a solid one since they've allowed 2.93 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks, which is the fourth-worst in the league.
Utah comes in with a 4.1 implied goal total and with Keller skating on the top forward line and the top power-play unit, he should have plenty of chances to find the back of the net.
- Expert Sharks vs. Utah Picks:
- Clayton Keller To Score a Goal (+170 on DraftKings)
- Clayton Keller Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-152 on FanDuel)
Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Prediction: Friday, January 10th
An original six matchup is always a good time and that's what we have when the Detroit Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
After a coaching change, the Red Wings are hot with a five-game winning streak and with a soft matchup on tap tonight, they will look to continue that.
Over the last two weeks, Chicago has allowed 2.92 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league. The offense should be flowing for the Red Wings, so let's turn to the great, Patrick Kane. He comes in with 4 goals, 3 assists, and 15 shots on goal during their five-game winning streak.
Piling up the shots on goal has always been his thing and with the offense looking this good, there's no reason he shouldn't be aiming for the back of the net, especially against his former team.
- Expert Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Picks:
- Patrick Kane Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-110 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/10
- Alex Ovechkin over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-122 on DraftKings)
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.